A few weeks ago, I posted a video about our new AF100 ENG Kit, which uses the Hot Rod Tuner and the HDx2 B4/PL Optical Adapter to allow 2/3” lenses to work with the Panasonic AF100 camera. We received quite a response from this post, and one of the most common requests was to see some sample images from the rig. The gear has been so popular that I wasn’t able to get my hands on the pieces again until now. Andy Shipsides and I went out in the rain and rolled off a few shots until we were both too soaked to continue.

We chose to mount the Canon 11×4.7 (4.7mm-52mm) zoom to the rig, because it is both an excellent piece of glass as well as a very popular zoom, but any B4 mount zoom will work with the kit. The Canon 21×7.3 is another popular choice, as are many Fujinon and Angenieux zooms. We used an ENG version of the lens and plugged our custom cable in to power the zoom servo, as well as enable the start/stop control of the camera with the lens’ REC button.

The kit was well balanced on my shoulder, and all exposures were set by eye using the quickly adjusted Cineroid EVF.

On the Panasonic HPX370, HPX300, HPX170 and HVX200, the white balance offset is found in the Scene Menu.

HPX370 with a Cool Offset

HPX370 with a Warm Offset

On the EX1, EX1R and EX3, the white balance offset is found under the Picture Profile -> White Menu. Notice below that the warm and cool looks have opposite values when compared to the Panasonic cameras.

EX3 with a Warm Offset

EX3 with a Cool Offset

On the HDX900, HPX2000, HPX2700, HPX3000 and HPX3700, the white balance offset is under the Paint -> RB Gain Control. Here you can adjust both a red and blue value for each white balance setting (preset, A and B). The reason it is called “Gain Control” is because an offset is really a very subtle gain increase in one color channel, but not to worry, it won’t add an noticeable noise to your image.

Offsets are under Gain Control

On the PDW700 and PDWF800, the white balance offset is under the Paint -> White. Here they allow you to set an offset for both red and blue for A and B. The Preset white balance can also be adjusted in another menu.

Offsets are in the White Menu

For the second part of the ENG Essentials – Camera Matching Series, I will be adjusting the gamma settings on the VariCam 3700 (HPX3700) to match the gamma curves on the EX3. The HPX3700 has more gamma adjustability, so I chose to set the EX3 to a setting I liked and then adjust the HPX3700 to match. Every manufacturer has different gamma curves, so my goal is to set the two gamma curves to match as closely as possible using a DSC Labs ChromaDuMonde chart and Leader scope.

On the EX3, I set the gamma to CINE1 and black gamma to -60 in Picture Profile. After reviewing the curve on the scope, I adjusted the HPX3700 to the same exposure and tried different gamma settings, using the EX3 curve as a reference on the scope. In the HPX3700 gamma settings, I adjusted the GAMMA MODE SEL to VIDEO-REC, V-REC KNEE SLOPE to 500% and the V-REC KNEE POINT to 54% and found a very close match.

Watch my video below to see how I matched the Gamma Curves.

Another important step after white shading a camera is to match white balance values. All pro cameras have preset and user defined white balance values – the P,A,B switch. If you run a white balance on two cameras looking at the same white card, in the same lighting environment, you will get very similar results. But if you plan to use the preset values (3200K,5600K) we need to be sure that both camera actually produce the same color white. Different lenses produce different white values, so even though the camera thinks you are at 3200K, it may be completely wrong. This can be corrected for by adjusting offset values in the camera, and making sure that both cameras have matching white values.

Watch my video below to see how these two steps are done.

In the first part of this series, I will be covering the process and art of matching cameras. I will show how I adjust one camera to match, or at least come close to, the look of another. This is an essential process when working with multiple cameras, and your editor will praise you for it. I’ll be using DSC Labs Charts, Leader scopes, and our custom built white sphere to match the cameras. And to make this really challenging, I will be matching a Sony PMW-EX3 to a Panasonic Varicam 3700! The series will be in three parts: White Shading, Gamma Matching, and Color Matching. So stop by again soon to check on my progress.

The White Shading & White Offset Seciton is now online.